February 7, 2002
From Wilderness to Zion
“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” John 4: 48 (NIV)
The Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 (NIV)
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)
Unless you are one of the few, in this day in age, who have been a part of a body of believers where signs and wonders are performed, you have not seen those signs and wonders. You have also not seen the Jesus in which you believe. There are many who say that to believe in something not seen is foolish. Yes, to the world, the belief in Jesus is foolish. However, Jesus says you are blessed because you have not seen him and yet you believe. You believe in Jesus, yet do you believe in the power of serving him? Where is that life that he promised, the one that is more abundant? Could it be that we have become weary of waiting for the bridegroom to return and have become infatuated with the things of this world, rather than the things of Christ? Where is that joy? Faith is the essence of things hoped for and not see. What happens when that faith is made full? Then, the power of that faith becomes evident to all. We have not seen those same miraculous signs and wonders of the apostles and Jesus. We have not see Jesus in the flesh as did the people of his day. Like the Israelites, we have been wandering in the wilderness, but we have been there for centuries. How long are we willing to remain in the wilderness? How long are we willing to wander around Mt. Zion without ever entering it? How long are we willing to practice a powerless faith? Come, for the sake of the one who loves you, make that decision that this is the day of renewal. In Jesus name, let us not be like the doubter, Thomas. In Jesus name, let us read the word of God with boldness and learn to walk in that faith till we see that promised land.
Father, we have not seen Jesus in the flesh. We have wandered in the wilderness for centuries. Lord it is time for this bride to be made ready for the bridegroom is coming. Father, restore us to that first love. In Jesus name, make evident the works of you. Lord, in Jesus name, restore to us the gifts that have been stolen and are now being restored. Father, in Jesus name, let us walk in the power that you have called us to walk. Father, it is so heavy on my heart that we have become a powerless people, just like the Israelites in captivity, where had they been willing, by sheer number could have broken free from captivity. Father, in Jesus name we long to enter that promised land, the land of Zion. Lord in Jesus name, we are willing. Break us free from this bondage of unbelief. Lord, we believe, help our unbelief, in Jesus name, amen!